Earl Grey Lavender Milkshake Recipe

 The Earl Grey Lavender Milkshake is a sophisticated and unexpected take on the beloved milkshake that brings together the refined flavors of bergamot-scented Earl Grey tea with the delicate floral notes of culinary lavender. This dreamy beverage transforms a simple milkshake into an elegant dessert drink that feels like a luxurious afternoon tea experience in a glass. The Earl Grey provides a subtle citrusy backdrop with its distinctive bergamot oil, while the lavender adds an aromatic, almost perfume-like quality that's both calming and intriguing. When blended with creamy vanilla ice cream and cold milk, these botanical flavors create a perfectly balanced shake that's both familiar and wonderfully unique. This milkshake is perfect for special occasions, garden parties, or any time you want to treat yourself to something truly special.

Serves: 2 people (makes 2 large milkshakes)

What You'll Need

For the Tea Base:

• 2 Earl Grey tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose Earl Grey tea
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cold milk

For the Milkshake:

• 3 cups premium vanilla ice cream, softened slightly
• 1/2 cup whole milk (additional)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For Garnish:

• Whipped cream
• Fresh lavender sprigs (optional)
• Shortbread cookies or tea biscuits
• A light dusting of lavender sugar

Creating the Tea Concentrate

Begin by brewing a strong Earl Grey and lavender tea concentrate that will be the flavor foundation of your milkshake. Place the Earl Grey tea bags or loose tea in a small heatproof bowl along with the dried culinary lavender buds.

Pour the boiling water over the tea and lavender, then stir in the granulated sugar to dissolve completely. The sugar not only sweetens the concentrate but also helps extract more flavor from both the tea and lavender. Let this mixture steep for 8-10 minutes to create a robust, flavorful base.

Straining and Cooling

After steeping, strain the tea concentrate through a fine-mesh strainer to remove all the tea leaves and lavender buds. Press the solids gently with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, but don't over-press or you might get bitter flavors.

Stir in the 1/4 cup of cold milk to help cool the concentrate more quickly. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until completely cool. The concentrate needs to be cold before blending to prevent melting the ice cream too quickly.

Preparing Your Equipment

About 10 minutes before making your milkshake, place your blender jar in the freezer to chill it. This helps keep everything cold during blending and results in a thicker, creamier milkshake. Also, put your serving glasses in the freezer to chill.

Remove the vanilla ice cream from the freezer and let it soften slightly at room temperature. It should be soft enough to scoop easily but not melted. This makes blending much easier and creates a smoother texture.

Blending the Perfect Shake

In your chilled blender, combine the completely cooled Earl Grey lavender concentrate with the softened vanilla ice cream. Start with about 2 1/2 cups of ice cream and add the additional 1/2 cup of whole milk.

Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. The salt might seem unusual, but it enhances all the other flavors and makes the sweetness more pronounced.

Achieving the Right Consistency

Blend on medium speed for about 30-45 seconds, just until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Don't over-blend, as this can make the milkshake too thin or cause it to become frothy rather than creamy.

Check the consistency and adjust as needed. If the milkshake is too thick, add a splash more milk. If it's too thin, add a bit more ice cream. The perfect milkshake should be thick enough to coat a spoon but thin enough to drink through a wide straw.

Testing the Flavor Balance

Taste your milkshake and adjust the flavors if needed. The Earl Grey should provide a subtle tea flavor with hints of bergamot, while the lavender should add a delicate floral note without being overpowering. If you'd like more tea flavor, you can add a bit more of the concentrate, but do so gradually.

Remember that flavors will be slightly muted by the cold temperature and the richness of the ice cream, so the concentrate should taste quite strong on its own.

Elegant Presentation

Pour the milkshake into your chilled glasses, leaving room at the top for whipped cream. The milkshake should have a beautiful pale purple-gray color from the Earl Grey tea and lavender.

Top each glass with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream. For an extra special touch, you can infuse the whipped cream with a tiny amount of lavender by mixing a pinch of culinary lavender into the cream before whipping.

Finishing Touches

Garnish each milkshake with a small sprig of fresh lavender if you have it available. The visual appeal adds to the elegant presentation, and the fresh lavender aroma enhances the drinking experience.

Serve immediately with wide straws and perhaps a few delicate shortbread cookies or tea biscuits on the side. These complement the tea flavors beautifully and add a nice textural contrast.

Make-Ahead Tips

The Earl Grey lavender concentrate can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. This actually allows the flavors to meld and develop even more complexity.

You can also pre-scoop the ice cream onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze the scoops, which makes blending even easier when you're ready to make the milkshakes.

Customization Ideas

For a stronger lavender flavor, increase the lavender to 1 1/2 teaspoons, but be careful not to go overboard as lavender can quickly become overwhelming. You can also experiment with different types of Earl Grey tea - some have more bergamot than others.

For a lighter version, substitute frozen yogurt for half the ice cream, or use low-fat milk. The flavor will be slightly less rich but still delicious.

Seasonal Variations

In summer, try adding a few fresh blackberries or blueberries to the blend for a fruity twist that pairs beautifully with both Earl Grey and lavender. In cooler months, a small pinch of cinnamon or cardamom can add warmth to complement the floral notes.